One of the biggest problems ILDC encounters when trying to explore other planets and moons is finding a landing site. Many times orbiting spacecraft can't see boulders or small cliffs on the planet's surface. These unknown features can destroy the delicate equipment of the lander. Carefully examine the following images to determine if there are safe locations to land on Donner. If you are unfamiliar with topographic images view a topographic map of the earth before looking at Donner.
The following is an image of Donner that incorporates over 200 million laser altimeter measurements from DOLA and about a thousand wide-angle images from DOC. The altimetry accentuates details on the surface not visible in images due to the dusty atmosphere of Donner, and the image data provides realistic color.
Donner Surface
Donner Hemisphere Images
Here is a general topographic overview of the surface of Donner. The surface is marked with possible landing positions for your mission. Investigate the map for areas that appear safe for your landing. Consider landing areas that have scientific or economic value.
1. Observe the colored topographic maps of the surface of Donner. Describe three different surface structures of Donner Data
2. Describe the areas that have the most craters, give their latitude and longitude
Highest elevations are shown in red, lower elevations are shown in red.
Metal Concentration Map
This map of the mid latitude region of Donner shows the possible concentrations of metals on the surface. Yellow and green represent the areas of highest concentration. 3. Compare the areas of metal concentration with the elevation maps. Are there any areas of high concentrations of metal that correspond to safe landing areas?
4. Below are are several close up images of the surface of Donner. Consider the terrain and how it may have formed. What challenges do you foresee for travel on the planet? Would there be any problems for vehicle's or Walking? This panorama provides a high resolution view of the finely-layered outcrop rocks and wind ripples along the Erebus crater's rim.
Erebus Crater
Along the edge of an arc-shaped feature called "Lorre Ridge" there are some spectacular examples of basaltic rocks with striking textures. These basaltic rocks were formed by volcanic processes.
Panorama of intricately rippled sand deposits in Gusev Crater on Donner 5. Consider the rippled sand in the image below. What would have caused the ripples in the sand? What does this tell you about the weather on Donner?
View of a stack of fine layers exposed on a ledge in "Erebus Crater" shows a diverse range of primary and secondary sedimentary textures formed billions of years ago.
6. Look at the layers of rock in the image below. How do you think these types of rocks formed? What can this tell us about the presence of water on Donner?
Topographic Maps of Donner
One of the biggest problems ILDC encounters when trying to explore other planets and moons is finding a landing site. Many times orbiting spacecraft can't see boulders or small cliffs on the planet's surface. These unknown features can destroy the delicate equipment of the lander. Carefully examine the following images to determine if there are safe locations to land on Donner. If you are unfamiliar with topographic images view a topographic map of the earth before looking at Donner.
The following is an image of Donner that incorporates over 200 million laser altimeter measurements from DOLA and about a thousand wide-angle images from DOC. The altimetry accentuates details on the surface not visible in images due to the dusty atmosphere of Donner, and the image data provides realistic color.
Here is a general topographic overview of the surface of Donner. The surface is marked with possible landing positions for your mission. Investigate the map for areas that appear safe for your landing. Consider landing areas that have scientific or economic value.
1. Observe the colored topographic maps of the surface of Donner. Describe three different surface structures of Donner Data
2. Describe the areas that have the most craters, give their latitude and longitude
Highest elevations are shown in red, lower elevations are shown in red.Metal Concentration Map
This map of the mid latitude region of Donner shows the possible concentrations of metals on the surface. Yellow and green represent the areas of highest concentration.3. Compare the areas of metal concentration with the elevation maps. Are there any areas of high concentrations of metal that correspond to safe landing areas?
4. Below are are several close up images of the surface of Donner. Consider the terrain and how it may have formed. What challenges do you foresee for travel on the planet? Would there be any problems for vehicle's or Walking?
This panorama provides a high resolution view of the finely-layered outcrop rocks and wind ripples along the Erebus crater's rim.
Along the edge of an arc-shaped feature called "Lorre Ridge" there are some spectacular examples of basaltic rocks with striking textures. These basaltic rocks were formed by volcanic processes.
Panorama of intricately rippled sand deposits in Gusev Crater on Donner
5. Consider the rippled sand in the image below. What would have caused the ripples in the sand? What does this tell you about the weather on Donner?
View of a stack of fine layers exposed on a ledge in "Erebus Crater" shows a diverse range of primary and secondary sedimentary textures formed billions of years ago.
6. Look at the layers of rock in the image below. How do you think these types of rocks formed? What can this tell us about the presence of water on Donner?
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